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Intern (Management & Policy Research) (In-person or Remote)
Better Than Cash
Cairo, Cairo Governorate, Egypt
Posted on May 14, 2026
Background
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP: we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.
UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the UN’s global development network, working in over 170 countries and territories to help countries achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNDP supports countries through integrated solutions that tackle root causes and promote systems thinking to address today’s complex development challenges.
At UNDP Egypt, the Country Office structure is aligned with its Country Programme Document (CPD) 2023–2027 and is organized around three thematic clusters:
- Inclusive Growth and Digital Transformation
- Climate and Nature
- Governance, Social Inclusion, and Gender
These programmatic areas are supported by five functional teams:
- Programme Implementation and Technical Oversight
- Policy and Partnerships
- Results-Based Management
- Communications
- Operations Support
UNDP Egypt works closely with government counterparts, UN agencies, international financial institutions, private sector, and civil society to deliver impactful, evidence-based solutions that align with national priorities.
To support the delivery of its mandate, UNDP Egypt is establishing an internship roster for 2025. Interns will be selected for an initial 3-month period, with the possibility of extension based on performance and office needs.
Position Purpose
The intern will provide front office support to the Resident Representative's office, assisting with administrative tasks, managing communications, and facilitating interactions with diverse stakeholders. This position offers valuable exposure to high-level international development processes and administrative functions.
UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. This is a recognition of the interconnected nature of development risks & crises that the world is facing and that call for assembling multidisciplinary teams for an integrated & systemic response. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across issues, units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.
Duties and Responsibilities
1) Front Desk Management
• Provide effective front-desk service, managing telephone communication services.
• Assist staff with long-distance calls and maintain a personnel telephone list.
• Greet visitors and respond to their queries effectively.
2) Administrative Support
• Coordinate schedules, appointments, and meetings for the Resident Representative.
• Manage and organize official correspondence and documentation.
• Support travel arrangements and logistics for missions and meetings.
• Manage and organize official correspondence and documentation.
• Support travel arrangements and logistics for missions and meetings.
3) Communication Facilitation
• Ensure effective communication flow within the office and with external partners.
• Assist in preparing communication materials and reports.
• Help maintain filing and record-keeping systems for correspondence and documents.
4) Policy and Strategy Advice and Development:
• Prepare policy briefs, sector scan, status papers on development challenges based on desk review studies and analysis for evidence-based advocacy and policy development in the relevant field.;
• Assist in the development of new or ongoing initiatives, including concept notes development and review of policy literature in respect to the subject to enhance UNDP programming in the relevant field within the Arab Region;
• Document good practices, cases studies, innovations and pilot models for wider dissemination and sharing;
• Prepare Report/Note on the role of UNDP’s Programmatic Support in Structural Transformation in Arab States
• Assist in the documentation of the outcome of a number of regional consultations for positioning UNDP in the region.
• Support applied research, data collection, and evidence synthesis to inform programme design, policy recommendations, and strategic planning.
• Support engagement with private sector stakeholders and partners to identify collaboration opportunities and contribute to inclusive and sustainable development initiatives.
The intern performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Competencies
- Functional Competencies:
• Strong sense of collaborative work, excellent communication and interpersonal skills;
• Keen attention to detail;
• Proven record of interest and work in the development field;
• Excellent analytical and research skills;
• Research experience;
• Interest in the Arab States region and possibly some background in researching the region.
Core Competencies:
Professionalism:
• Demonstrated problem-solving skills and judgment in applying technical expertise to resolve a wide range of complex issues/problems;
• Ability to negotiate and to influence others to reach agreement;
• Ability to work under pressure.
Communication:
• Speaks and writes clearly, concisely and effectively;
• Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately;
Teamwork:
• Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise;
• Is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda;
• Supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position.
Planning & Organizing:
• Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies;
• Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required;
• Allocates appropriate amount of time and resource for completing work.
Accountability:
• Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honour commitments;
• Delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards;
• Operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules;
• Supports subordinates, provide oversight and take responsibility for delegated assignments;
• Takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
Applicants to the UNDP internship programme must at the time of application meet one of the following requirements:
(a) Be enrolled in a postgraduate degree programme (such as a master’s programme, or higher);
(b) Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (such as bachelor’s degree or equivalent);
(c) Have recently graduated with a university degree (as defined in (a) and (b) above) and, if selected, must start the internship within one-year of graduation;
(d) Be enrolled in a postgraduate professional traineeship program and undertake the internship as part of this program.
Experience:
- Excellent communication skills; Ability to write clearly and concisely;
- Initiative, sound judgment and demonstrated ability to work harmoniously with staff members of different national and cultural backgrounds;
- Good command of information and communication technology;
- Some knowledge of the Arab region would be helpful.
Languages:
- Fluency in English (both oral and written) is required. Arabic language skills would be an asset.
Interns’ expenses and insurance
1) Costs and arrangements for travel, visas, passports, accommodation and living expenses are the responsibility of:
- The sponsoring institution, related institution or Government, which may provide the required financial assistance to its students; or
- The intern.
2) Interns, whether engaged in-person or remotely, are responsible for securing adequate medical insurance for the duration of their internship with UNDP and must provide self-certification of good health prior to starting the internship. UNDP will not reimburse the medical insurance of the intern. Any costs arising from accidents and illness incurred during an internship assignment will be the responsibility of the intern.
3) Selected candidates for in-person internships must show proof of valid medical insurance for the duty station in which they will intern. For interns that are neither nationals nor residents of the duty station of the internship, the insurance must include adequate coverage in the event of an injury or illness during the internship duration which:
- Requires transportation to the home country or country of residence for further treatment;
- Results in death and requires preparation and return of the remains to the home country, or country of residence.4)
4) UNDP accepts no responsibility for loss or damage to personal effects that may occur during the internship.
Disclaimer
Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.
UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.
Applicant information about UNDP rosters
Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.
Non-discrimination
UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.
UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
Scam warning
The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.
This internship includes both in-person and remote opportunities.